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| Arabic | طواف |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | tah-WAHF |
| Etymology | From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning 'to go around, to circuit, to patrol.' The verb tafa (طاف) means 'to walk around something,' and the noun الطواف (طواف) denotes the act of circling. The same root gives us the word ta'if (طائف), meaning 'one who makes rounds' and also the name of the city of Ta'if near مكة. The pattern fa'al (فعال) indicates an intensive or repeated action — the going around, again and again. |
الطواف(طواف) الطواف is the ritual act of circumambulating the الكعبة seven times in a counterclockwise direction, beginning and ending at the line of the الحجر الأسود. It is a fundamental component of both الحج and العمرة.
طواف
الطواف is one of the most visually striking and spiritually powerful acts of Islamic worship. The الحاج walks around the الكعبة — the cubic structure at the center of المسجد الحرام in مكة — seven complete times in a counterclockwise direction, keeping the الكعبة to their left. Each circuit (shawt) begins and ends at the الحجر الأسود (Hajar al-Aswad), which الحجاج attempt to kiss, touch, or point toward with their right hand while saying 'Bismillahi Allahu Akbar.' There are several types of الطواف, each serving a different purpose within the الحج rites. الطواف al-Qudum (arrival الطواف) is performed upon first entering مكة. الطواف al-Ifadah (also called الطواف al-Ziyarah) is the واجب الطواف performed on the 10th of ذو الحجة and is a pillar (ركن) of الحج — without it, the الحج is incomplete. الطواف al-Wida (farewell الطواف) is performed before leaving مكة. For العمرة, the الطواف is also a ركن (pillar) and must be completed for the العمرة to be valid. During the first three circuits of certain الطوافs, men are encouraged to practice raml — a brisk, shoulder-swaying walk — as النبي Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did. Men also practice idtiba, where the right shoulder is exposed by placing the الإحرام garment under the right arm. Pilgrims may recite any دعاء or dhikr during الطواف; there are no mandatory specific الأدعية for each circuit, though many scholars have compiled مستحب الأدعية. After completing seven circuits, the الحاج prays two ركعة behind مقام إبراهيم (Station of Abraham) and drinks زمزم water.
From the Arabic root ط-و-ف (t-w-f), meaning 'to go around, to circuit, to patrol.' The verb tafa (طاف) means 'to walk around something,' and the noun الطواف (طواف) denotes the act of circling. The same root gives us the word ta'if (طائف), meaning 'one who makes rounds' and also the name of the city of Ta'if near مكة. The pattern fa'al (فعال) indicates an intensive or repeated action — the going around, again and again.